This project required detailed assessment of building fabric utilising heritage and architectural expertise to provide a detailed costed forward maintenance plan for all the University’s built heritage assets. Aspects of ongoing maintenance were identified for 5, 10 and 25 year periods. The HFS has been successful in predicting an allowance for ongoing maintenance works on an annual basis and with regard to priority works, including safety.

OCP Architects have been engaged in over twenty projects in the last decade at Sydney University, providing advice on sensitive heritage issues and documenting repair works, in addition to coordinating the input of specialist sub – consultants and contractors. Efficient management and effective liaison with the University for their large scale projects ensured that work was carried out on time and budget.

Projects include: Sydney University Main Quadrangle Conservation Works; Anderson Stuart Make Safe and Conservation Works; Administration building roof; equitable access study; Clocktower maintenance and conservation works; five and ten year maintenance plans for Madsen Roof; the complete scheduling of conservation works for McLaurin Hall; documentation advice for repairs to the JD Stewart building and Chipping Norton building and investigation and analysis of condition and defects of the Great Hall building.

Refresh Program Sydney Trains

The ongoing Station Refresh program has seen the transformation of many train stations across NSW. The intent of the program is to refresh and revitalize train stations in order to improve customer environments by providing cleaner, safer and more functional facilities. The Refresh program involved a range of essential maintenance, repair, cleaning and re-painting works.

OCP Architects have so far provided advice on 16 Stations. The project involved the detailed assessment of building fabric which required strong Architectural and Heritage expertise. As part of these works, OCP Architects prepared Schedule of Works and Specifications in order to provide an element-by-element conservation methodology, as well as Statement of Heritage Impact reports to support the approval of the proposed works at each station. In addition, advice was provided through numerous hold points during construction in order to ensure built quality.

Station Hazmat Analysis

This project involved detailed assessment of building fabric of 101 train stations throughout New South Wales in 2014, as well as an additional 27 station in 2017. Site inspections required building fabric analysis of both heritage listed and non–heritage listed stations and the identification of hazardous materials at each station and its physical condition.

OCP provided recommendations for short term and long term remediation of problem areas. A heritage impact statement was prepared for each station, which included analysis of hazardous material and provided recommendations for the future maintenance and conservation of the buildings. An archival recording was also formed for certain stations where removal of heritage fabric was deemed necessary.

The identification and status of the existing hazardous materials required assessment of the physical fabric to determine what scope of works were necessary and determined whether these works would affect the heritage significance of the relevant stations. Based on the buildings and their heritage status, recommendations were provided to ensure that significant heritage fabric was sensitively managed during the refurbishment works.

Glebe Housing Fabric Survey

OCP Architects as architects and heritage consultants have had considerable experience in the conservation of the Glebe Estate over several decades since the 1970s and in recent years provided professional guidance on the essential roof repair program in Glebe.

The heritage fabric assessment of each house undertaken in 2015 assessed, from street level, the condition of front facades and fencing of the 600+ heritage buildings within the Bishopthorp, St Phillips and Lyndhurst areas of Glebe. An individual schedule was prepared for each building, which was supported by photographic documentation.

The assessment’s prime aim was to identify elements that posed a potential safety threat to residents and the public. The work scheduled the range of building elements from roof to ground level and the condition of each element was ranked to assist in determining appropriate priorities for works.

OCP Architects provided recommendations based on the condition of each house. Any houses containing poor to dangerous conditions were then prioritised within the maintenance program for maintenance work, which is ongoing.